<p>I also agree. If you can find a good lab to join at your current institution, that would definitely be easier and faster than transferring to a different program.</p>
<p>I have to admit that I have never heard of a transfer to my program, and I'm not sure how common it is to even be able to transfer.</p>
<p>I did know one person who transferred but it was probably a reapplication process. I know many others (international students do not have a very thorough idea of the program since they cannot visit before committing, which leads to discordance between expectations and reality) who did not transfer because recommendation letters to transfer was a hassle. So while reapplying to programs is not impossible, it is certainly difficult.You do have a good enough reason should you choose to do so.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone above! Good luck with what you are doing rite now!</p>